Hawaiki Subsea Cable Step Closer to Completion

Hawaiki transpacific cable system is one step closer to be ready for service in June 2018 with more than half of the system already implemented.

According to Hawaiki Submarine Cable LP and TE SubCom, a TE Connectivity company, more than a half of 15,000km of undersea fiber optic cable that comprise the Hawaiki cable system have been implemented.

With several thousands of kilometers of undersea fiber optic cable on board, TE SubCom’s cable-laying vessel CS Responder is now berthed in Auckland, ready to begin marine activities for the New Zealand leg of the cable system later this month.

The operation will include the landing of the Hawaiki cable in Mangawhai Heads.

“The start of 2018 finds Hawaiki closer and closer to ready for service”, said Remi Galasso, CEO of Hawaiki. “Landing the cable in its home country represents a major event for our team and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our New Zealand partners for their continuous support. Hawaiki will bring huge benefits to New Zealand in terms of greater connectivity to Australia and the US, security of supply, diversity and increased business opportunities for the telecom and IT industries.”

Chris Carobene, vice president, Marine Services, TE SubCom said, “We’re proud of the progress to date on the Hawaiki system and look forward to it being ready for service later this year. The project showcases the SubCom team’s expertise in the transpacific market and has been a great example of the kind of partnership that results in a successful venture.”

Hawaiki subsea cable, with a capacity of 43 Tb, will link Australia and New Zealand to the mainland United States, as well as Hawaii and American Samoa, with options to expand to additional South Pacific islands.